A story out of the Philadelphia area is serving as a reminder of the devastation wrought by the opioid epidemic. According to WPVI, two police officers were patrolling the Allegheny Station area in Kensington around 4 p.m. Monday.A passerby alerted the officers to a pregnant female who was unconscious. They administered Narcan to the woman twice before she regained consciousness. "At that time, the Philadelphia Fire Department came over to the location and she refused their services. She didn't want to go to the hospital. She didn't want any kind of medical treatment. She got up and left the area," SEPTA Police Lt. Michael Fox said.Less than one hour later, the officers spotted the woman again. She was laying unconscious on the sidewalk. The two picked her up and drove her to a nearby hospital. SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel III shared the incident on Twitter, writing: "Woman, app 7mos pregnant, given Narcan by Transit Police for heroin OD. Refused transport to hospital. 40 minutes later she OD'd again."Many responded to the post with sadness, some with anger. "In a situation like this can she be involuntarily committed to a hospital or facility that could help her?" one person asked. Nestel replied: "That question has been bounced around among attorneys guiding 1st responders on whether invol treatment is permitted. Not looking promising." Fox said the incident was something that weighed heavily on the responding officers. "It's devastating, absolutely devastating. It's heartbreaking to see this happen. I am a father, I can only think about my own children. something like this happens, it's a terrible issue," Fox said.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —

A story out of the Philadelphia area is serving as a reminder of the devastation wrought by the opioid epidemic.

According to WPVI, two police officers were patrolling the Allegheny Station area in Kensington around 4 p.m. Monday.

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A passerby alerted the officers to a pregnant female who was unconscious. They administered Narcan to the woman twice before she regained consciousness.

"At that time, the Philadelphia Fire Department came over to the location and she refused their services. She didn't want to go to the hospital. She didn't want any kind of medical treatment. She got up and left the area," SEPTA Police Lt. Michael Fox said.

Less than one hour later, the officers spotted the woman again. She was laying unconscious on the sidewalk. The two picked her up and drove her to a nearby hospital.

"In a situation like this can she be involuntarily committed to a hospital or facility that could help her?" one person asked.

Nestel replied: "That question has been bounced around among attorneys guiding 1st responders on whether invol [involuntary] treatment is permitted. Not looking promising."

Fox said the incident was something that weighed heavily on the responding officers.

"It's devastating, absolutely devastating. It's heartbreaking to see this happen. I am a father, I can only think about my own children. [When] something like this happens, it's a terrible issue," Fox said.